FACTS & STATS: Site: Wallace Wade Stadium (33,941) -- Durham, North Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: NC State 2-3, Duke 3-2. Away Record: NC State 0-3, Duke 1-2. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, Duke 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 0-4, Duke 1-3. Series Record: Duke leads, 39-35-5.

GAME NOTES: The NC State Wolfpack travel to Raleigh to take on the Duke Blue Devils, in what will be the first meeting between the ACC rivals since 2003. NC State enters the game hoping to snap a four-game skid. Three of those losses have been decided in the final quarter. The players should be well rested, considering NC State has played just two games in the last 34 days. They'll run into a Duke team that is hungry for redemption, following a 33-30 overtime loss to Wake Forest last weekend. The Blue Devils have now dropped three of their last four. They'll play their next two games on the road, before wrapping up the schedule at home against North Carolina on November 29th. Duke holds a 39-35-5 edge in the head-to-head series, although the Wolfpack has won 10 straight against the Blue Devils.

For the most part, NC State's offense dinked and dunked its way down the field against Maryland. The Wolfpack converted 9-of-15 third downs and controlled the ball for 36 minutes, yet they managed a rather modest 342 yards of total offense. Quarterback Russell Wilson was effective in managing the game, completing 18-of-28 passes for 187 yards and two scores. In six games, he is averaging 150 passing yards and has thrown eight touchdowns against only one interception. While he may not make a whole lot of plays downfield, Wilson has helped his team by avoiding turnovers. That is especially critical when factoring in that NC State ranks 108th in the nation in total offense (292 ypg) and 101st in scoring offense (19.38 ppg).

Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said linebacker Nate Irving (35 tackles, five TFLs, three INTs in five games) is expected to return this week from an ankle injury. His return would be a huge boost for a defense that wore down late against Maryland. With the score tied at 24 and the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, the Terrapins went on a 15-play, 89-yard drive that resulted in a game-winning 20-yard field goal with six seconds remaining. By that time, Maryland had racked up 203 yards (5.6 ypc) and two touchdowns on the ground. NC State did a much better job defending the pass, holding Terps' quarterback Chris Turner to 126 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-20 passing. It's been a struggle for the defense throughout the season, as NC State currently ranks 101st in the nation in total defense (412.75 ypg) and 91st in scoring defense (30.13 ppg).

Duke's offense has been somewhat of a Jekyll-and-Hyde act this season, putting up an abundance of points one week, then getting blanked the next. Last week against Wake Forest, it was one of those good weeks. In that game, the Blue Devils ran for 145 yards, their most since the second week of the season. For a rushing offense that ranks 100th in the nation (113.63 ypg), it's a promising sign. Thaddeus Lewis completed 18-of-26 passes for 229 yards and two TDs, but he also threw two costly interceptions. The Blue Devils' special teams didn't help, either, as they lost fumbles on a kick return and a punt return, and also had a punt blocked. Even still, Duke was in a position to win it in regulation. After driving 43 yards in 10 plays, Nick Maggio missed what would have been a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired. Head coach David Cutcliffe was quick to praise his team's effort, especially on the offensive line. But as long as the Blue Devils lose the turnover battle, they are going to find wins tough to come by.

Defensively, the Blue Devils rank toward the bottom of the ACC, in terms of yardage (ninth) and scoring (11th). They held the Demon Deacons to 2.6 yards per carry on the ground, though they did allow two rushing touchdowns. Wake quarterback Riley Skinner was largely held in check (232 yds), with the exception of a fourth-quarter touchdown pass that gave the Demon Deacons a 30-23 lead. The Blue Devil defense was able to penetrate the line of scrimmage, compiling nine tackles in the backfield. Cornerback Chris Rwabukamba was effective in the secondary, breaking up three passes. Linebacker Michael Tauiliili has been the leader of the defense throughout the season, posting a team-high 81 stops (seven tackles for loss), two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He leads the conference in tackles.

NC State is well-rested and is starting to get healthy. Still, with both of these offenses, you never quite know what to expect from week to week. Give a slight nod to Duke, playing at home and coming off a strong showing (minus the turnovers) against Wake Forest.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Duke 24, NC State 17

Saturday, November 8th, 3:30 p.m. (et).